OHA trustees clash over CEO lawsuit, minority trustees back full damages
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Office of Hawaiian Affairs board of trustees is facing internal divisions after four minority trustees filed a court document supporting the agency’s ousted CEO in her lawsuit against OHA.
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During Monday’s board meeting, the majority of trustees, led by Chair Kaiali’i Kahele, voted to order the minority trustees to withdraw the court filing. The document stated the board violated whistleblower protections for CEO Stacy Ferreira, who is currently on paid leave.
Minority trustees back CEO’s damages claim
The four minority trustees — Carmen Hulu Lindsey, Kalei Akaka, Keli’i Akina, and Luana Alapa — wrote in their court filing that they “affirmatively support Plaintiff’s entitlement to full damages resulting from this unlawful conspiracy.”
Trustee Keli’i Akina defended the filing as an exercise of First Amendment rights.
“We have spoken out as individual trustees,” Akina said. “We have used our First Amendment right and all we have done is responded truthfully as our consciences would guide, to questions raised in the deliberations.”
Akina also said the complaint against the minority trustees was an effort to silence them.
“The complaint against us is yet another effort by the chair and the majority to improperly silence four trustees as they exercise their own fiduciary responsibilities to try to correct breaches of fiduciary duty by the chair and the majority,” Akina said.
Majority trustees warn of broader consequences
Majority trustee Dan Ahuna of Kauai called the situation troubling.
“This is pilau. This is hewa,” Ahuna said. “Nothing positive or nothing. Nothing good about it. This really saddens me.”
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Majority trustee Brickwood Galuteria expressed concern the conflict could destabilize the agency, warning that everybody is watching.
“We got $55 million coming. Legislature is watching us. We can’t screw it up, guys,” Galuteria said.
“So for your short game, we’re going to blow the long game. What the heck is that? What kind of politicians are you folks?” he added.
Background on the CEO lawsuit
In 2025, Ferreira sued OHA, claiming the agency violated whistleblower and sunshine laws. The lawsuit alleged the board’s decision to place her on paid leave was retaliation for her complaints about Chair Kahele regarding a toxic work environment and what she described as repeated undermining of her role.
Chair responds to minority trustees
In a previous vote, the board agreed to enter into mediation with Ferreira. Chair Kahele questioned the minority trustees’ process in filing the legal document and said it could violate the state Sunshine Law.
“When trustee Akina talks about fiduciary duties and good faith — is there anything good faith about filing a legal pleading without prior notice to beneficiaries, without prior notice to the board of trustees, or without informing board legal counsel?” Kahele said.
Akina was the only minority trustee to speak at length during the meeting. Trustee Ahuna demanded the remaining minority trustees also speak. The final vote was 5 to 1. Trustee Akaka voted no, Akina abstained, and Trustees Lindsey and Alapa had left the room before the vote.
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